Music

Music gives pupils the opportunity to develop overall musicianship as performers, composers and listeners. This aim is served by three main elements: Performing, Composing and Listening.

Through these activities pupils will develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore sounds and musical concepts, and use their imagination and skills to create musical ideas and compositions.

Pupils can further develop their understanding and capacity to enjoy music through listening to musical performances and commenting on them. Pupils will use ICT to realise or enhance their composition and performance and to promote their understanding of how music works.

Courses

NATIONAL 3 – 5

The course is made of 3 units: Composing Skills, Understanding Music and Performing Skills. These 3 units must be passed and are assessed internally.

ASSESSMENT

At National 5 level external assessment consists of a final Listening exam (40%), in which students will be asked to identify specific features and answer questions focusing on music literacy. They must also give a live performance to a visiting examiner during February/March. Students will perform on their chosen 2 instruments or instrument/voice, for 8 minutes (a minimum of 2 minutes on any one instrument). The performance may be either solo and/or in a group (60%: ie 30% per instrument/voice).

HIGHER / ADVANCED HIGHER

The Higher Music course builds on the work done in National 5 Music. As well as engaging pupils in performing activities and providing them with a wide range of Composing and Understanding Music experiences, it also provides opportunities to enhance their literacy and numeracy skills.

The course consists of 3 units: Performing; Understanding Music and Composing.

ASSESSMENT

All 3 units must be passed and are assessed internally.

At Higher level external assessment consists of a final Listening exam (40%), in which students will be asked to identify specific features and answer questions focusing on music literacy. They must also give a live performance to a visiting examiner during February/March. Students will perform on their chosen 2 instruments or instrument/voice, for 12 minutes (a minimum of 3 minutes on any one instrument). The performance may be either solo and/or in a group (60%: ie 30% per instrument/voice).

At Advanced Higher a dissertation on a musical topic of the pupil’s own choosing is to be completed in addition to the 3 units.